Jurgen Klopp’s table-toppers will look to maintain their winning start to the season when they travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday to face Frank Lampard’s young vibrant Chelsea side.
Rarely do you see a visiting team head to the Bridge and be made favourites, but for Liverpool it makes plenty of sense. The Reds are fighting to win the Premier League, while the Blues’ objectives are to finish in the top four. But as good as Klopp’s men are, Lampard’s wildly talented group of young players cannot be underestimated.
Can Chelsea stop Liverpool or will the Reds’ sizzling start continue on Sunday? Find out what our Editor thinks!
To Win
Chelsea 51/20
Draw 28/10
Liverpool 1/1
Chelsea
Chelsea head into Sunday’s clash high on confidence following their emphatic 5-2 statement victory away to Wolves. Last season the Blues along with Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City failed to win at the Molineux Stadium in the Premier League, but Lampard’s side outclassed Nuno Espirito Santo’s men last Saturday.
The major positive was that Chelsea’s young academy graduates Fikayo Tomori, Tammy Abraham – scorer of a hat-trick – and Mason Mount all got on the scoresheet, proving that Lampard’s faith in them is paying off.
Despite Lampard’s shaky start to life at Stamford Bridge, he has managed to turn around the tides, with the west London side currently sitting sixth on the log, level on eight points with rivals Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal – two behind Manchester City.
The Blues are still searching for their first home win in the Premier League, having drawn both of their games at the Bridge this season against Leicester and Sheffield United, where they blew a two-goal lead.
Lampard will know his side face a daunting test against Liverpool, but having 
gone toe to toe against Klopp’s men last month in the UEFA Super Cup – where they were the better side in my opinion – beaten on penalties, the Chelsea boss will be raring to go and look to upset the European champions.
Abraham, the league’s joint-top scorer alongside Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero with seven goals, will be keen to continue his hot streak in front of goal, especially against the Reds where he missed the decisive kick in that penalty shootout which handed Liverpool the prize in Istanbul.
It may be early days, but right now the 21-year-old looks like the true No. 9 Chelsea have lacked for so long. And last weekend, he followed in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo and Dele Alli in becoming just the third player aged 21 or under to score twice in three consecutive matches.
It will be interesting to see if Lampard sticks with the 3-4-3 formation he used against Wolves or whether he goes back to his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. Whatever the Blues boss decides, he should be able to welcome back N’Golo Kante. The French powerhouse was one of the standout performers in Istanbul last month and his arrival would certainly boost Chelsea’s chances.
Liverpool
After winning their final nine games of last season, Liverpool have extended that sequence by a further five matches and sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League table. The European champions will aim to continue their flawless start, but they face arguably their toughest test of the season so far.
Yes, they’ve played Arsenal already and no disrespect to the Gunners, but that was at Anfield, where the Merseysiders went the entirety of last season unbeaten there. Liverpool are the favourites to come out victorious at the Bridge on Sunday, but as tough as it will be for Chelsea to halt the Reds’ excellent start to the campaign, Klopp’s men will know his side have to turn up or they will surely end up dropping points here.
The Reds have failed to win in each of their previous two trips to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League. Last season, the Merseysiders needed a spectacular long-range strike from Daniel Sturridge in the 89th minute to secure a 1-1 draw, and the season prior, they suffered defeat as Olivier Giroud scored the game’s only goal.
Klopp’s men will be desperate to maintain their five-point cushion over champions Manchester City and will target maximum points on Sunday. Liverpool will need to be wary of Chelsea’s attack that has scored 11 times this season, especially in-form striker Abraham. But, UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, Virgil van Dijk, will look to pocket the young Englishman.
Liverpool will know all too well that Chelsea have issues in defence with Lampard’s side yet to register a clean sheet this season and the attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino will look to wreak havoc.
Klopp will still be without first-choice goalkeeper Allisson Becker, but Adrian has proven to be safe hands for the Reds and was the hero when the sides met last month, saving Abraham’s decisive spot kick in a penalty shootout.
Probable line-ups:
Chelsea: 4-2-3-1
Kepa; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Emerson; Kante, Jorginho; Pulisic, Mount, Pedro; Abraham.
Liverpool: 4-3-3
Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Henderson; Mane, Salah, Firmino.
Prediction: Double Chance & Both Teams to Score – Home-Draw/Yes (15/10)
I’m expecting an entertaining, tight encounter at the Bridge on Sunday. Liverpool have been superb so far and are expected to win here, but Chelsea really impressed me last weekend, going to Wolves and winning 5-2. Lampard’s young Chelsea side are fearless and dangerous. I fancy them to get a result here. My tip is Chelsea on the Win/Draw Double Chance & Both Teams to Score at 15/10.
Chad Nagel
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